Anyone who knows me would not be the tiniest bit surprised that I happen to have started my trip in Colombia’s coffee region. And after only getting to our accommodation in the quaint, rural town of Solento around the time most other tourists had been kicked out of the town square’s character-filled bars I think I deserve it.
Anyone who knows my friend Baggins wouldn’t be surprised that she cajoled the 8 of us traveling Colombia together to spend our first day on holiday on a 12.7km, 6 and a half hour hike.
It is, however, one of the best way to explore Colombia’s vibrant and bountiful coffee region and a brilliant example of some of the nature on offer in the world’s 5th most bio-diverse country. We set off to Cocora in one of the jeeps organized by our hostels – this turned out to be one of the many World War 2 vehicles buzzing around the area. Apparently these surplus vehicles were imported to help build up the area today and remain a popular mode of transport, especially for tourists today.
The scenery is too beautiful to photograph properly. But this certainly didn’t stop us from trying.
Crossed rickety bridges (cue Indiana Jones theme tune here : Da Da Daah Dum da da Dummmm )
Or some Dirty Dancing for this dodgy one!
Mom, you’ll be particularly proud that I even engaged in some bird watching of the hummingbirds all the locals are so proud of.
And with bravery, laughs at some Lady Gaga-style wardrobe dysfunctions and groupd appreciation of the instagram-demanding palm fronds, we eventually reached the top. And it was worth it. Just.
So we’re all still alive Mom and loving life. Except for the fact that we’ve just discovered to orrow’s coffee farm tour involves another hike.
imstillalivemom 